Title: The Sages’s Secret
Author: Abhinav
Publisher: Penguin House India
Pages: 256
Price: Rs 219
Remember as a child when going to bed was fun as grannies and grandpas would come up with amazing stories about magic and history and mythology and magic. Myths, legends and reincarnations have always intrigued the human mind and will keep doing so for years to come. We all have been well versed with the stories of Lord Vishnu and his avatars and how these avatars changed the world.
The story begins with the protagonist experiencing vivid illusions about the life and times of Lord Vishnu and stories associated with his varied forms. Very few authors can precisely bring to life telepathic illusions to life. However, the author here has ensured to weave the story with unblemished finesse. it is with the help of these distinct episodes the protagonist is trying to connect the dots of his life.
According to mythology, Kalki is said to be the last avatar of Lord Vishnu which is yet to take birth so as to help save the world from evil and strike a perfect balance between good and evil. The storyteller here has taken a leap into the future and is explaining the story from the point where Kalki is a part of the world. Aniruddh is the protagonist of the story and is being haunted by delusional visions of Lord Vishnu, however evil forced are already taking the necessary actions to help stop Kalki.
Talk about designing scenarios and placing plots, the author has kept it precise and has aptly built up the excitement in each chapter. The transition from past to present loses track in some chapters but this book being the first instalment in the trilogy we can find the track in the next books.
For a mythological loving soul this book offers you a different perspective on the future. Each element of scenario has been explained filling in all the necessary emotions and actions keeping us gripped. The transition from past to present, from good to evil, from illusions to reality is on point making the picture clear while reading the story.
Mythological fiction is a tough write taking into account the minute details one needs to take into consideration before making it to the reader’s eye. The mythological concepts in the book have been aptly researched by the author and have been placed in sync with the fictional story. Each chapter in the book is precise and crisp thereby keeping the reader glued.
Mythological fictions have tones set in it to help understand varied plots. One can feel these tones easily while reading the book. What happens in the past has been explained with such conviction you feel yourself drawn into the era. The mental delusions of the protagonist put our imaginative cells at work.
On the whole this book is a good read to help take a little sneak peak into the mysterious world of mythology and the myths which might shape our future. A quick and crisp read this book is a definite recommendation.